Obituary of Jean P. Bastos

Jean Phyllis Bastos, age 95, of Burlington, passed away peacefully at Winchester Hospital on Thursday, January 23, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph N. Bastos, with whom she had shared over 52 wonderful years of marriage prior to his passing in 2001.

Born in Philadelphia PA on June 8, 1929, she was one of six children of the late Walter and Kathleen (Stewart) Porch.  Jean grew up in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High and Latin.  Following her education, she attended Mass College of Art before meeting the love of her life, Joe.  They met at a party while he was in the United States Air Force.  It didn’t take long for either of them to see how right they were for each other and fall in love!  The two were wed during Joe’s leave from the service.

Jean and Joe moved to Burlington in 1962, following his time in the Air Force.  They started their family, and finally settled down in the home they had built in 1965 on Lexington St.  The two loved to stay busy and be social, so they made it their mission to be involved with their children’s lives, and the lives of their friends and fellow community members in Burlington.  Jean and Joe were both devoted members at the UCC Church where they made lifelong friends.  Jean was also a girl scout leader, and avid volunteer who dedicated over 25 years of time to Rosie’s Place, among many other organizations.

After their children were grown, Jean and Joe fulfilled a dream of theirs by purchasing their boat “This Is It”, and a second home on Long beach in Rockport MA.  They both loved boating, fishing and cruising around Cape Ann.  They spent over 15 years working hard to make Long Beach comfortable and welcoming for family and friends to visit and vacation.  Countless memories with their family and friends were made at the beach house in Rockport!  To this day the Long Beach cottage remains in the family for future generations to enjoy.

In her free time, Jean enjoyed arts and crafts.  Whether she was sewing, making ceramics, or trying something new, she was always up for the challenge of making something beautiful.  She also enjoyed exercise classes at the Burlington Council on Aging, where she had many friends to socialize with.  Jean also adored the beach.  Between her home in Rockport and the Cape Cod vacations, the beach was definitely her happy place!  She also looked forward to family trips down to Florida where she and Joe would pack up the kids and her parents and drive all the way down together.

At her core, Jean was a fun-loving, free-spirited woman.  She loved her family and friends fiercely, and they in turn loved her back for her kind nature, and quick wit.  Anyone who knew Jean, knew she was innately kind, caring, and compassionate.  She relished the time she spent with her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and worked hard to make meaningful memories with them.  Above everything else in her life, Jean loved her family.  She brought so much joy and sunshine to each of their lives’, but for Jean, they all were the brightest part of her life.

Surviving Jean are her devoted children, Stephen Bastos and his wife Janice of Billerica, Brenda Gillis and her husband Ken of Burlington, Earla Ricker and her husband Peter of Rockport, and Joseph Bastos and his fiancée Cathy Hosman of Peabody; her loving grandchildren, Stephen Bastos, Jr. and his wife Sandra, Karen Bastos, Kenneth Gillis, Jr., Sharla Gillis, Melissa Ricker, Derek Bastos, and Amanda Bastos; her great-grandchildren, Nicole Bastos, Skye Gillis, and Joanna Gillis; her dear sister, Earlamond Abbott Frank of Arizona, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. 

Jean was the beloved sister of the late Gail Stone, Kathy McMillan, Carolee Belcher, and Walter Porch. 

Friends and family are invited to visitation on Tuesday, January 28th from 10 am until 11:30 am at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington.  Her Funeral Service will be held at 12 pm at United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington.  Committal Service will immediately follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or Rosie’s Place.